IRISH BLOODSTOCK SALES RISE IN FIRST HALF OF 2018

05 July 2018

The blistering hot trade seen at the Irish store sales in
June produced a 5% increase on 2017 figures, with turnover from both Goffs and
Tattersalls Ireland totalling €33,707,100.
The demand for Irish national hunt horses rises with their victories on the
course, none better demonstrated than a half-brother to the top-class Altior
(IRE) setting a new world record when selling for €365,000 at the
Tattersalls Ireland Derby Sale.

Sold by John Dwan’s Ballyreddin Stud, it was British
bloodstock agent Aiden Murphy signed for the world’s most expensive store horse
on behalf of Coolmore’s MV Magnier, while Murphy also signed for four of the
top five most expensive horses sold that week.

British buyers also contributed to new record at the Goffs
Land Rover Sale, where the previous highest price of €215,000 was surpassed on
three occasions. Ditcheat trainer Paul Nicholls secured the €325,000 top lot
from Ballincurrig House Stud, while Henry De Bromhead was next highest at
€235,000 and Highflyer Bloodstock nearly matched at €230,000.

One of the most encouraging elements of both sales was the
improved demand for national hunt fillies, buoyed by increased opportunities
and prize money, as well as the impressive exploits of mares on the track.
Fillies sold at the Goffs Land Rover Sale sold for an average €38,900, while
those at Tattersalls Ireland averaged €39,638.

Competitive trade in June has contributed to an overall 2%
increase in Irish bloodstock sales in the first six months of the year,
currently standing at €47,148,894.

CEO of Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, Charles O’ Neill,
commented, “ The work done over the last few years to significantly enhance the racing programme for mares is
finally starting to paying off and the substantial increase in demand for
fillies across both sales has to be great news for the industry. The increased
quality of horses catalogued across the store sales was a common theme
throughout the sales and was welcomed by all the local and overseas buyers. I would like to thank all purchasers for their
continued support and wish them every success in the future.”